a pivotal point

USAGE SUMMARY

'a pivotal point' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe an important moment or event that has a significant impact on the course of something. For example, last night's televised debate was a pivotal point for the two presidential candidates as it gave them a chance to make their case to a large audience.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That was a pivotal point".

The New Yorker

"This is a pivotal point".

The Guardian

However, a pivotal point was left out.

The New York Times

This, Pavano said, was a pivotal point.

The New York Times - Sports

"Australia is at a pivotal point.

The Guardian

"And that was a pivotal point.

The New York Times - Sports

This could very well be a pivotal point for us".

The New York Times - Sports

That mistake came at a pivotal point in the game.

The New York Times - Sports

I didn't know it was such a pivotal point.

The New York Times - Sports

"We are reaching a pivotal point in media, seeing new digital media being built," Döpfner said.

The Guardian

'It was a pivotal point in the whole movie,' he says.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a pivotal point" to emphasize the significant impact of a specific moment or decision on future outcomes. Ensure the context clearly indicates the consequences of this point.

Common error

Avoid using "a pivotal point" when describing minor events or decisions. Reserve this phrase for situations where the outcome has substantial and lasting effects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pivotal point" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a specific moment or event of critical importance. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where the phrase marks significant junctures or decisions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a pivotal point" is a highly useful phrase for denoting a moment of great significance. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts. It's crucial to reserve this phrase for situations where the outcome has substantial effects and to avoid redundancy by not adding intensifiers like "very". Alternatives such as "a turning point" or "a critical juncture" may be used depending on the desired nuance, and usage patterns indicate its frequent occurrence in News & Media sources. Therefore, use "a pivotal point" to make a big impact when you describe that specific moment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a turning point

Replaces "pivotal point" with a more common synonym, focusing on the idea of change in direction.

a critical juncture

Uses more formal vocabulary to emphasize the importance and decisiveness of the moment.

a key moment

Simplifies the phrase while retaining the emphasis on significance.

a decisive moment

Highlights the conclusive nature of the point in time.

a watershed moment

Emphasizes a significant shift or change following the event.

a crucial stage

Highlights the essential nature of the point within a larger process.

a game changer

An idiomatic expression for something that drastically alters the situation.

a tipping point

Suggests a point where a small change causes a significant effect.

a strategic inflection point

More formal business term, emphasizing strategy and significant change.

a moment of truth

Emphasizes a moment of reckoning or revelation.

FAQs

How can I use "a pivotal point" in a sentence?

You can use "a pivotal point" to describe a moment of significant change or decision. For example, "The negotiation was "a pivotal point" in the company's history".

What are some alternatives to "a pivotal point"?

Alternatives include "a turning point", "a critical juncture", or "a key moment", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "very pivotal point"?

Yes, saying "very pivotal point" is generally redundant because "pivotal" already implies a high degree of importance or significance. A "pivotal point" is already a critical or decisive one.

What's the difference between "a pivotal point" and "a turning point"?

While both phrases suggest a significant change, "a pivotal point" often implies a more deliberate decision or action that causes the change, while "a turning point" can be a more general shift in direction.